Transit of Venus Occurs June 5, VSU Observatory Deck Will Be Open

VALDOSTA -- Valdosta State University’s Department of Physics,
Astronomy, and Geosciences will open the observatory deck on the
roof of Nevins Hall on Tuesday, June 5, to those who wish to view
the transit of Venus.

This rare, near-perfect alignment of Earth, Venus, and the sun will
not occur again until December 2117 and December 2125. It
previously occurred in 1882 and on the morning of June 8,
2004.

“As Venus moves in its orbit, it passes approximately between Earth
and sun every 1.6 years, but only very rarely does the planet pass
directly between Earth and sun,” said Dr. Kenneth Rumstay,
professor of both physics and astronomy and director of the VSU
Observatory. “When this happens, Earthbound observers see the
planet as a tiny black dot, slowly moving across the face of the
sun. Historically, these events were of great importance to
astronomers as they provided the most accurate means of gauging the
distance to the sun and, thereby, determining the scale of our
solar system.”

Valdostans with a clear western horizon will be able to view the
first two and a half hours of this seven-hour event, which will end
after midnight, Rumstay continued. Those in the center of the
Pacific Ocean will see the entire event, while those in the United
States will only see the beginning of the transit.

“For the remainder of the year, Venus moves west of the sun, rising
earlier each day and eventually appearing as a brilliant morning
star in the predawn sky,” he said.

VSU’s observatory deck will open at 5 p.m. The transit of Venus
will begin at 6:05 p.m. As dusk approaches, Rumstay noted that
those on the deck may be able to view Mars and Saturn. The public
viewing will end at 9 p.m.

“All members of the community are invited to join us for this rare
celestial event,” he said.

Rumstay urged everyone viewing the transit of Venus to take all
appropriate safety measures. He said that no one should observe the
sun without a proper solar filter. Those viewing the astronomical
event from home without specialized equipment -- like that used by
VSU’s Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences -- should
use eclipse shades or No. 14 shade welding glasses.

For more information, please contact Dr. Kenneth Rumstay, physics
and astronomy professor with VSU’s Department of Physics,
Astronomy, and Geosciences, at (229) 333-5752 or krumstay@valdosta.edu.

Special Note:
On Monday, June 4, the full moon will graze the upper section of
Earth’s shadow. Rumstay said that an almost imperceptible darkening
will begin at 4:48 a.m., and the more substantial shadow will be
visible at 5:59 a.m., continuing on through moon set at 6:30 a.m. A
lunar eclipse is safe to observe throughout the event, he
added.